New link for rural companies set up

Nov 26 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A NEW organisation designed to support and sustain businesses based in rural west Northumberland has been launched.

The Mid-Tyne Business Forum will also aim to help companies in and around the area build new, mutually beneficial links with each other, and will encourage members to buy local wherever possible to help enhance the local economy.

A seven-strong committee of local business people has been formed after an initial meeting to discuss the aims and ambitions of the forum attracted more than 30 attendees. And plans are now being put in place for the forum’s first networking event, which will be held early next year.

The Mid-Tyne Business Forum aims to replicate the success of the long- established Hexham Business Forum, and has already established a website at www.mtbf.org.uk on which a range of information is available, including a directory of businesses in the mid-Tyne area.

The Mid-Tyne region covers the parishes of Warden, Newbrough, Wall, Humshaugh, Chollerton, Birtley, Simonburn, Wark and Whittington, to the north and west of Hexham, but membership applications from interested companies outside these areas are also being accepted.

Forum committee member Samantha Burnish, who runs Bardon Mill-based soft furnishings firm Lynnwood Interiors said: “The relationships that businesses have with their customers are more important than ever before.

“The formation of the Mid-Tyne Business Forum is designed to grow the number and quality of relationships that companies in our area have with their neighbours.

“As well as securing new business for themselves, members can also make recommendations for trusted suppliers that they have dealt with, with a view to similar recommendations coming back to them as opportunities arise.

“We’ve had a great deal of initial interest in the forum from all sorts of different businesses and we’re confident that the members’ enthusiasm will make it a success.”

“There are some real business gems hidden across the Mid-Tyne area, and we hope that the forum will help increase both the recognition that they get and the amount of business they’re able to win.”

:: For further information, please visit the Mid-Tyne Business Forum website at www.mtbf.org.uk  or email info@mtbf.org.uk